Swiss Railways (SBB) has announced that it will not provide free transport to the families of the victims of the fire in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana, citing the principle of equal treatment for all passengers affected by tragic events.
The decision comes after requests from representatives of some families, who asked that relatives of hospitalized persons be able to travel free of charge to reach the medical facilities where the victims are being treated.
“Equal treatment” in the public transport system
In an official statement, SBB expressed its “deepest sympathy” for the victims and their families, emphasizing that the entire public transport industry in Switzerland has been affected by the tragedy that occurred at the beginning of the year.
However, the company stated that, for reasons of equality with other customers affected by similar events, it cannot cover individual travel costs.
“The desire to support the victims’ relatives, for example for travel to the hospital, is understandable. However, for reasons of fairness to other people affected by tragic events, the public transport sector cannot cover these individual costs,” the statement said.
SBB emphasized that a valid ticket is still required to use public transport.
Financial support provided through other mechanisms
However, the railway company pointed out that there are institutional mechanisms in place to support families.
The authorities in the canton of Valais are providing emergency aid of 10,000 Swiss francs to each family of the victims who are in hospital. In addition, the Swiss Federal Law on Support for Victims of Crime (OHG) provides for the coverage of certain expenses as part of immediate assistance, including transportation, accommodation, and initial legal counseling costs.
According to SBB, these instruments are designed precisely to provide targeted support without creating differences in treatment in the public transport system.
An accident that shook Switzerland
The fire broke out on the night of January 1, 2026, in a bar in the mountain resort of Crans-Montana, in the canton of Valais. According to the latest reports, 41 people lost their lives and over 100 were injured, dozens of whom suffered severe burns.
The fire in Crans-Montana broke out in a crowded venue during a New Year’s Eve celebration where indoor fireworks were used, resulting in 41 deaths and over 100 injuries.
The circumstances are reminiscent of the tragedy at the Colectiv club in Bucharest in 2015, when a fire that broke out during a concert caused 64 deaths and 185 injuries.
Intensive care units in the region were quickly overwhelmed, and many of the injured were transferred to hospitals in other cantons and abroad. Swiss authorities have opened a criminal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire.
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